By Brian Johnson - 5th September 2004
The European Union is prepared, if called on by the African Union, to send troops to the troubled Sudanese region of Darfur.
The offer from the Dutch EU presidency came during informal EU foreign ministers talks at the weekend.
Responding to an appeal from the UN for assistance to the cash strapped African force, Dutch foreign minister Bernard Bot revealed that the EU was considering launching a police mission in support of the African Union police mission in Darfur.
“The EU, at the request of the African Union, could contribute to the extension of the current monitoring mission and protection force in Darfur.” Said Bot.
“We discussed developments in Darfur and the political process, on the basis of the report of the special representative of the Secretary General of the UN, Mr Jan Pronk,” Bot advised.
The Dutchman said the EU would keep pressure on the Sudanese government and could possibly impose sanctions on Khartoun.
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